Automatic measuring and troweling machine



Oct m, 1939 o. R SCHEURER 2,175,785

AUTOMATIC MEASURING AND TROWELING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 (D. R. SCHEURER AUTOMATIC MEASURING AND TROWELING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1939 Q. R. SCHEURER AUTOMATIC MEASURING AND TROWELING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wang ar 193256.7 6C Zea-57%;?

Patented Oct. 16, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC MEASURING AND TROWELING MACHINE linois Application February 10, 1939, Serial No. 255,761

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for applying a heavy viscous sound-deadening composition to a panel, such as a metal door panel for an automobile, or the like.

The present invention is an improvement on the machine illustrated and described in myapplication Serial No. 181,982, filed December 27, 1937.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and improved control system for the various parts of the machine, so that once the machine has been set in operation, it will continue until the treatment of a panel has been completed. This is accomplished by an electrical control system which starts the driving motor, and through a solenoid valve controls the com pressed air piped to the various parts of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved troweling head which is operable with panels which may have various degrees of curvature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scratching device for engaging the panel while the coating material is applied and insure a better cohesion between the material and the panel.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved panel-supporting table having an intermittently operated conveyor for automati- 'cally moving the finished panel out of operative position after the coating has been applied.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a broken vertical sectional view of the improved apparatus; Figure 2, a sectional view of the pneumatic plunger which operates the inlet and outlet valves in the valve chamber; Figure 3, an enlarged broken sectional view of the lower end of the rotating shaft showing the thrust member which limits the upward travel of the panel and provides an outwardly divergent conduit for the plastic material which is extruded from the shaft; Figure 4, a plan view, partly in section, showing the trowelling head and scratching device; Figure 5, a plan view of the panelsupporting table and conveyor mechanism; Figure 6, a broken elevational View of the table shown in Figure 5; Figure '7, an enlarged elevational view of the troweling head; Figure 8, a diagrammatic view showing the piping diagram for the pneumatic portions of the machine; and Figure 9, a wiring diagram of the electrical apparatus.

In the embodiment illustrated, A designates a panel-supporting table provided with a pneumatic lift A, and a pneumatically operated conveyor A B, extrusion mechanism including a valve chamber B, a pneumatic plunger and cylinder B and a pneumatic mechanism B for operating the valves; 0, rotary mechanism adapted to be driven by an electric motor C; D, troweling mechanism on the mechanism C; E, scratching mechanism mounted for upward and downward movement; F, a solenoid operated master valve for controlling the pneumatically operated parts of the machine; and G, timing mechanism having a cam for operating the scratching mechanism E, and a pair of switches for controlling the so1enoid valve F and the operation of the motor C.

The panel-supporting table A is shown with a metal frame It! provided with a series of rollers II to facilitate rolling a panel l2 over the pneumatic lift A.

The lift A has a pneumatic cylinder I3, in which is mounted a piston l3a, which is adapted to force a carriage l 31), with the superposed panel I2, up into contact with the rotary distributing mechanism. When the pneumatic pressure is released, the carriage will return by gravity to the position shown in Figure 1.

A pair of endless belt conveyors i4 is journalled on pulleys Ma in the frame H1. The belts are kept taut by means of a tension spring l4b which draws the front pulley shaft forwardly. The belts are adapted to be driven intermittently by a pneumatic cylinder and plunger [5, provided with a rack l5a, which engages a ratchet mechanism l5b on the rear pulley wheel shaft. The air line is arranged so that the conveyors are driven to the right (as viewed in Figure 6) when the lift A has returned to the position shown in Figure 1. One stroke of the plunger is sufficient to move the panel to the end of the table where it may be removed by hand.

The extrusion mechanism B is quite similar to that described in my earlier application. A supply line I6 is filled with the plastic material and is under a pressure of from fifty to seventyfive pounds per square inch. An inlet valve I! and an outlet valve l8 in the valve chamber B regulate the passage of the material into and out of the chamber. These valves are operated by means of a rock arm IS on a shaft 20.

Above the valve chamber is an extrusion plunger B which, when the valves are properly set, may by pneumatic pressure force the material through the valve l8 into the shaft of the distributing mechanism. When the pneumatic D sure to the plunger 13 is shut off, the valve |8 closed, and the valve I! opened, the material in the pipe |6 will flow under pressure into the valve chamber and force the plunger 13 up to the limit of its travel, making it ready for an extrusion operation whenever the valves are reversed. As best shown in Figure 2, the shaft 29 is oscillated by means of a pneumatic plunger and cylinder 2| which is pivotally mounted on a bracket 22 resting on a table 23. A two-way valve 24, at the top of the extrusion cylinder, is operated by a push rod 24a which is urged downwardly against a crank on the shaft 26 by means of a compression spring 24b. Thus it will be understood that when the shaft 29 is rocked by the unit 13 the valve I! will be closed, the valve l8 opened, and air will be admitted to the pneumatic extrusion cylinder. When the pressure is released in the cylinder 2|, the valves will be reversed and valve 24 will be open so that the plunger B may be forced upwardly by the incoming material from the pipe Hi.

The distributing device C comprises a fixed hollow shaft 25 which communicates with the outlet from the valve l8. A hollow shaft 26 is journalled on the lower end of the shaft 25 and is provided with an adjustable stufling box 2'! on a bearing Z'la which is supported on a fixed flange 28 secured to the shaft 25. The upper end of the bearing member is provided with a sheave 29 which is driven by a belt 29a, and by a sheave 30 on a shaft 39a. A speed reduction gear box 3| is provided to drive the shaft 3011 from the motor C, and preferably serves to rotate the shaft 26 at about 46 R. P. M.

A guide-member 32 is suspended in the extrusion tube 26 by means of a headed rod 32a and is provided with a tapered portion 33 which cooperates with the bevelled inner end of the shaft 26 to form an outwardly directed conduit through which the sound-deadening material is extruded onto the face of the panel I2. The member 32 also serves to limit the upward travel of the panel I2 and keep the troweling head D and the scratching mechanism E in proper spaced relation from the panel.

A supporting block 34 is fixed to the lower end of the shaft 26 and on one side of this block is pivotally mounted the troweling-blade D. As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 7, the blade has an inner arm 35 which is pivotally mounted on the block at 35. A heavy leaf spring 31 is passed around the pivot 36 and up over a stud 38 on the arm 35. The purpose of this spring is to urge the arm 35 downwardly. The outer end of the arm 35 is provided with an adjustable guidemember 39 which is adapted to ride on the face of the panel |2 while the material is being applied. An outer arm 49 is pivotally connected to the arm 35, as indicated at 4|. A compression spring 42 is provided above the elbow to yieldingly urge the arm 49 downwardly with respect to the arm 35. The outer end of the arm 49 is provided with an adjustable guide-member 43 Which is adapted to ride on the face of the panel I 2 and determine the thickness of the peripheral portion of the patch of sound insulating material.

Frequently the face of a panel is quite smooth. It may be oily or even have a coat of lacquer to prevent rust. The plastic sound-deadening material, which usually comprises emulsified asphalt and sand, sometimes will not readily stick to such a surface. In order to insure good cohesion the scratching device E is provided. When the panel first comes into contact with the thrust member 32, the blade on the scratching device may actually bear against the face of the panel. A the gritty material is applied, the blade is gradually raised by a cam mechanism, and the action of the gritty material with the blade, against the face of the panel, abrades it sufficiently to insure excellent cohesion. The troweling arms D are slightly lower than the final positions of the scratching-blade so that a patch of material of the completed panel will be relatively smooth. As best shown in Figures 1 and 4, a scratching-blade 44 is adjustably supported by rods 45 on an arm 46, pivotally mounted on the block 34, as indicated at 41. A rod 48 has its lower end pivotally connected to the arm 46, as indicated at 49, and has its upper end fixed to a clutch sleeve 50 which is slidably mounted on the bearing 21a. The clutch member 50 has an annular groove 5| which is engaged by a roller 52 on the lower end of a rod 53. A shaft 54 on the timing mechanism G is provided with a cam 55 which serves to raise and lower the rod 53, and through the linkage just described, raise and lower the scratching-blade 44.

As shown in Figure 1, a master valve F is provided to supply air to the various pneumatic parts of the machine. Preferably the valve is operated by means of a solenoid. No invention is claimed in this device per se, so the construction need not be described in detail. The piping diagram will be understood by reference to Figure 8. A pipe line 56 serves to conduct compressed air to the system, through the master valve F. Part of this air later leaves the system through a pipe 51. Normally the solenoid operated master valve F permits compressed air to pass to a .line 58. This moves the plunger in cylinder 5 to its extended position, while the air in the right end of the cylinder (as viewed in Figures 5 and 6) is permitted to exhaust through a pipe 59, master valve F, and the pipe 5'1. As there is no pressure in the line 59 with this valve position, the plunger in the cylinder |3 is permitted to drop to the position shown in Figure l.

The pressure in the line 58 forces the plunger in the cylinder 2| to the left (as viewed in Figure 2) and this permits the rod 24a to move down and open the valve 24, so that the extrusion cylinder B is relieved, and the plunger may be forced upwardly by the material entering the valve cham ber B through the inlet valve |1.

When the solenoid reverses the master valve, compressed air 15 admitted to the line 59, and the line 58 is relieved through the pipe 51. This action causes the plunger in cylinder 2! to move to the right (as viewed in Figure 2), closes the relief port in the valve 24, and admits air to the cylinder B so that a measured amount of sounddeadening material is forced through the outlet valve |8. At the same time, the pressure in the line 59 raises the lift A and moves the plunger and the cylinder |5 into the position shown in Figures 5 and 6. The ratchet mechanism |5b permits the rack |5a to slide back without moving the belts I4.

After the application of the material has been completed, the solenoid again reverses the master valve F permitting the line 59 to exhaust and admitting compressed air to the line 58. As will be understood from the description above, the panel I2 is lowered by the lift A to the conveyor which is then driven by the cylinder !5, the cylinder 2| re-sets the valves |'l, I8, and 24 so that the valve chamber can receive a new measured charge of material.

As will be understood by reference to Figure l and the wiring diagram Figure 9, the machine may be put through one complete cycle of operation by the operator merely stepping on a starting switch 69. The switch may be placed in any convenient position but is shown on the floor beneath the table A. The timing mechanism G is mounted above the reduction gear box 3| so as to rotate the shaft 54 slowly in timed relation to the rotary mechanism C. As was explained above, the shaft 54 controls the upward and downward movement of the scratcher blade E. The shaft is further provided with a pair of revolving time switches BI and 62. As will be understood from the wiring diagram, the switch 6| serves to control the solenoid which operates the master valve in the unit F. This switch, by controlling the solenoid, controls the pneumatic parts of the machine. The switch 62 is arranged so that once the motor circuit is energized by the switch 60, the motor will be continued to be energized until a cycle of operations has been completed on a panel. Thus, it is made unnecessary for the operator to continue to hold the switch 60 in closed position.

As will be understood by reference to Figure 1, the table 23 which carries most of the mechanism is disposed on an upright 23a so that the troweling head is directly over the lift A. Adjustable guides 23b may be provided to facilitate positioning of the panel on the table.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, for modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A device of the character set forth, comprising: a rotatable hollow shaft provided at one end with a troweling-blade and a scratchingblade disposed so as to operate on a surface perpendicular to the axis of said shaft; means for extruding a measured amount of plastic material through said shaft while the same is being rotated; and means for moving the scratchingblade with respect to the troweling-blade while said blades are being rotated by the shaft.

2. A device as specified in claim 1, in which the scratching-blade is pivotally mounted on the hollow shaft and cam-means is provided to oscillate said blade in timed relation to the rotation of said shaft.

3. A troweling machine comprising: a vertical rotating shaft provided at its lower end with a troweling-blade, said blade having an inner arm pivotally mounted on said shaft, an outer armhinged to the outer end of said inner arm, and spring means urging the inner arm downwardly and the outer arm downwardly with respect to said inner arm.

4. A machine as specified in claim 3, in which the inner and. outer arms are each provided with downwardly extending guide members adapted to ride upon a panel being processed by said machine.

5. In a. troweling machine: a hollow, vertically disposed rotating shaft through which viscous material may be extruded onto an underlying panel; a thrust-member disposed in the lower end of said shaft so as to keep the panel in proper spaced relation, and forming with the shaft an outwardly directed conduit for the material extruded therethrough; and a troweling-blade pivoted to said shaft so as to distribute the viscous material on said panel.

6. In a troweling machine: a hollow, vertically disposed rotating shaft through which viscous material may be extruded onto an underlying panel; a thrust-member disposed in the lower end of said shaft so as to keep the panel in proper spaced relation, and forming with the shaft an outwardly directed conduit for the material extruded therethrough; a scratching-blade pivoted to the shaft and movable to abrade the surface of said underlying panel; and a troweling-blade pivoted to said shaft so as to distribute the viscous material on the panel.

7. A machine for the purpose set forth, comprising: a panel supporting table provided with a conveyor; a troweling device disposed above said table comprising a hollow rotating shaft provided at its lower end with troweling means, and plunger mechanism for extruding a measured amount of viscous material through said shaft onto a panel on said table; pneumatic lifting means for lifting a section of said table sufficiently to bring the panel into contact with the troweling-means; and means for starting said conveyor automatically when the table section is returned from extended position.

8. A device as specified in claim 7, in which the conveyor has an endless belt, and a pneumatic ram having a rack and ratchet mechanism is pro vided for driving the conveyor belt intermittently.

9. A machine for the purpose set forth, comprising: a panel-supporting table provided with a pneumatic lift; troweling device having a motor-driven rotatable hollow shaft provided at its lower end with a trowelingblade; a valve chamber provided with an inlet valve from a supply pipe of material under pressure and an outlet valve to said shaft; pneumatically operable mechanism for opening said valves alternately; a pneumatically operable plunger for extruding a measured amount of material from said chamber through the hollow shaft; a master valve for controlling the admission and exhaust of air from each of the pneumatic devices; and electrical means for operating said master valve and energizing said motor.

10. A machine as specified in claim 9, including a pneumatically operable conveyor means for moving panels over the table, said means being controlled by the master valve.

11. A machine as specified in claim 9, in which the electrical means includes a limit switch and solenoid for automatically throwing the master valve back into normal position when one complete cycle of operation has been completed.

12. A machine as specified in claim 9, in which the electrical means includes a starting switch for energizing the circuit, and another switch for keeping the circuit energized until a cycle of operation has been completed.

13. A machine for the purpose set forth, comprising: a panel-supporting table provided with a pneumatic lift; troweling device having a motor-driven rotatable hollow shaft provided at its lower end with a troweling-blade; a valve chamber provided with an inlet valve from a supply pipe of material under pressure, and an outlet valve to said shaft; pneumatically operable mechanism for opening said valves alternately; a pneumatically operable plunger for extruding a measured amount of material from said chamber through the hollow shaft; a master valve for controlling the admission and exhaust of air from each of the pneumatic devices; a panel scratching device movably mounted on said shaft;

cam-means driven in timed relation to the rotation of the shaft for raising and lowering the scratching device; and electrical means for operating said master valve and controlling the operation of said motor.

14. A machine as specified in claim 13, in which the cam-means comprises a shaft having a cam for lifting the scratching device, and rotary switches are mounted on said shaft for controlling the master valve and keeping the motor circuit closed until a cycle of operations has been completed.

OLIVER R. SCHEURER. 

